Planetarium Go UK will install its immersive cinematic dome at Wharf Green, next to the former Tented Market, from Friday 30th October until Saturday 28th November.
The travelling attraction will give families, school groups and space enthusiasts the chance to experience astronomy from inside a purpose-built spherical theatre.
Visitors will sit beneath a 360-degree projection system, with films covering astronomy, space exploration and the Solar System. Planetarium Go says its mobile attraction uses immersive visuals and individual audio headsets, with sessions accommodating around 60 people.
Shows expected to feature during the Swindon residency include Beyond the Sun, which is aimed at younger audiences and follows a journey to discover exoplanets.
Another family-friendly film, 3-2-1 Lift Off, features Alan the hamster and a damaged robot which crash-lands in his garden.
From Earth to Universe explores the history of astronomy, the Solar System and the wider universe, while Voyager: The Never-Ending Journey follows the Voyager spacecraft into interstellar space.
Shows are expected to last between 25 and 35 minutes.
The planetarium will open from 11am until 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 11am until 7pm on Fridays. Saturday opening hours will be 10am until 6pm, while the attraction will operate between 11am and 6pm on Sundays. It will be closed on Mondays.
Planetarium Go has already visited UK locations including London, Northampton and Leeds, with Bournemouth scheduled immediately before its Swindon stay.
Swindon Borough Council hopes bringing attractions of this kind to the town will support efforts to increase footfall and strengthen the local visitor economy.
Councillor Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said:
“Wharf Green is a fantastic space right in the heart of our town centre and, as we’ve seen through last year’s Summer at the Green events, it can become a real focal point when we bring something different to it.
“We want to keep giving people more reasons to come into the town centre, spend time here and enjoy experiences they might not necessarily expect to find in Swindon, so I’m really pleased that Planetarium Go is joining the growing programme of events at Wharf Green.
“Having a planetarium right in the middle of the town centre is certainly something a little different. Whether you’ve got a child fascinated by space or you simply fancy escaping for half an hour under the stars, I’d recommend booking a ticket and giving it a go.”
Andrew Wells, the council’s Head of Inward Investment and Inclusive Economy wrote on LinkedIn said:
“a truly thriving economy also needs culture, leisure, and creativity to bring vibrancy to our places.”
He said he was “especially delighted” that Planetarium Go was heading to Swindon, with families, school groups and those interested in space among those expected to benefit.
He said:
“Attracting unique leisure and creative opportunities like this makes Swindon an even more exciting place to live, work, and visit.
“It proves that inward investment isn’t just one-dimensional; it’s about shaping the character and visitor economy of our town.”
Mr Wells also credited Fintan Kearns for his work to secure the attraction, saying he had taken ownership of the project “from day one” and worked behind the scenes to bring the investment to Swindon.
The month-long residency forms part of wider efforts to make greater use of Wharf Green and give people more reasons to visit Swindon town centre.
Planetarium Go lists Swindon among four cities on its forthcoming tour and confirms the Friday 30th October to Saturday 28th November dates.
Tickets for general admission cost £10 with a variety of offers for groups or students. Children under four get free admission with tickets available through the Planetarium Go website.
